[AMERICANS IN ENGLAND] Brian McBride, who entered the season as Fulham's captain, scored for the Cottagers in the 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough and then collapsed to the ground with dislocated knee cap. "It was a freak injury to Brian, with minimal contact really," said Fulham coach Lawrie Sanchez. The injury will sideline McBride for several months, according to the BBC. For more on Americans in England ...

McBride's goal was his first of the three-game-old 2007-08 season. Last season McBride, 35, scored a team-high nine while appearing in all 38 league games for Fulham.

Carlos Bocanegra played the full 90 against Middlesbrough while Clint Dempsey entered in the 36th minute, replacing injured Hameur Bouazza.

Blackburn keeper goalkeeper Brad Friedel was punished for failing to hold on to Eduardo Da Silva's shot by Robin van Persie in a 1-1 with Arsenal. Former D.C. United defender Ryan Nelson of New Zealand was red-carded, leaving Blackburn a man down for the last six minutes.

"I felt there was a desire for violence more than commitment in some of the challenges," said Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger.

In a game that featured two American goalkeepers, Reading (Marcus Hahnemann) downed Everton (Tim Howard), 1-0. Bobby Convey was a 79th minute sub for Reading. Everton had won its previous two games.

Defender Jonathan Spector went the full 90 in West Ham's 1-0 win at Birmingham.